The end of the recovery phase at Ground Zero will focus new attention on election-bound Gov. Pataki and the city-state agency controlling rebuilding over which he wields great influence.

With all eyes turning to Pataki and the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., the agency is already hard at work on a series of land-use options for the 16-acre site.

The power over the site’s future is heavily in Pataki’s hands – and he’s the man with the most invested in the short-term outcome of the process, as his bid for a third term in office will be decided in just five months.

For weeks now, one of Pataki’s Democratic rivals, Andrew Cuomo, has been using the pace of the rebuilding effort to hammer the governor – saying more leadership and vision are needed.

“The governor has said he wants to be in charge,” Cuomo said yesterday. “Fine, now you’re in charge – lead.”

To blunt those attacks, Pataki must make sure the perception is that rebuilding plans are going forward – even though there will be little to show for it for years.

“There’s nothing that’s going to get [built] in the next five months,” Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff said. “It just has to look like we’re on the path to [a plan].”

Pataki insiders know how important the process is.

“We need to make sure that everybody stays on the same page and the progress keeps moving forward,” one source said.

The LMDC, which appears to be finding its footing after a rocky start, has two main goals for the next sixth months:

* In mid-July, unveil a process for creating a permanent memorial to the trade center victims

* Along with the Port Authority, the trade center’s owner, create a land-use plan for the complex by December.

Throughout the politically sensitive development process, Pataki’s influence is strong – and comes in different forms.

Several top LMDC staffers come from Pataki’s office or agencies he controls.

He co-controls the PA with New Jersey.

And the LMDC’s $2 billion in federal funding flows first through its parent agency, the Empire State Development Corp., which is run by Pataki ally Charles Gargano.

The city will still have major input, though it’s widely believed Mayor Bloomberg will defer greatly to Pataki, since he’s the one facing voters in November and the mayor is committed to his re-election.

That gives Pataki room to make decisions, but puts the burden on him if problems arise.